We, the undersigned international human rights organizations, express our utmost and urgent concern about the ongoing wrongful imprisonment of Azimjon Askarov and the deterioration of his health, and urge to advocate with the Kyrgyz government for his immediate release, and his transfer to a safe third country for medical treatment.
Original Title
Joint letter to the EU about the situation of detained human rights defender Azimjon Askarov in Kyrgyzstan
We, the undersigned international human rights organizations, express our utmost and urgent concern about the ongoing wrongful imprisonment of Azimjon Askarov and the deterioration of his health, and urge to advocate with the Kyrgyz government for his immediate release, and his transfer to a safe third country for medical treatment.
We, the undersigned international human rights organizations, express our utmost and urgent concern about the ongoing wrongful imprisonment of Azimjon Askarov and the deterioration of his health, and urge to advocate with the Kyrgyz government for his immediate release, and his transfer to a safe third country for medical treatment.
TL §=IPHR fidh
Con ey International
a) folanendine
RIGHTS |ERONT LINE Norwegian
DEFENDERS --!DEFENDERS Helsink Commitee
June 7, 2019
Federica Mogherini Peter Burian
High Representative of the European Union European Union Special Representative for
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Central Asia
Vice President of the European Commission EEAS Building, 9A Rond Point Schuman.
European Commission 1046 Brussels, Belgium
Rue de la Loi 200
1049 Brussels, Belgium
Eamon Gilmore
European Union Special Representative for Human Rights
European External Action Service
Rond-point Robert Schuman 9
1030 Brussels, Belgium
RE: Situation of detained human rights defender Azimjon Askarov in Kyrgyzstan
Dear Madamand Sits,
We, the undersigned international human rights organizations, write to you to express our utmost
and urgent concern about the ongoing wrongful imprisonment of Azimjon Askarov and the
deterioration of his health, and to urge you to advocate with the Kyrgyz government for his
immediate release, and his transfer to a safe third country for medical treatment.
‘As you know, Azimjon Askarov, 68, is a human rights defender and journalist who, in September
2010, was unfairly convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his alleged role in the June 2010interethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan. He was found guilty of participating in mass
1g ethnic hatred, and complicity in the murder of a police officerwho was killed
during the unrest. The investigation and trial into the alleged crimes were marred by due process
and fair trial violations, and were conducted in a hostile atmosphere where relatives of the
deceased police officer intimidated and attacked the defendants, their lawyers, and family
members. Askarov's credible allegations thathe was tortured in pretrial detention have never been
properly investigated, His guilty verdict was upheld on appeal, including by the Supreme Court.
disturbances, inc
The United Nations Human Rights Committee wled in March 2016 that Azimjon Askarov was
arbitrarily detained, held in inhumane conditions, tortured and otherwise ill-treated without
redress, and was not given a fair trial. The rulingnoted that Kyrgyzstan “violated the author's rights
under article 14 (3) (e) of the Covenant.” The Committee called on Kyrgyzstan to take appropriate
steps to immediately release Askarov and quash his conviction. Although the decision prompteda
judicial review of his case, the Bishkek court in January 2017 handed down the same verdict as
before. Askarov remai
\carcerated, serving a life sentence.
The European Union (EU) has called on Kyrgyzstan to “fully implement” the Committee’s rulingin
an April 2016 statement More recently, in January 2019, the European Parliament adopted a
resolution on the EU-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive agreement which notes “dissatisfaction, in this
context, with the upholding of the life sentence handed down to human rights activist Azimjon
Askarov, who documented the interethnic violence in 2010, and request his immediate release,
quash his conviction, rehabilitate him and provide him with reparation.”
On 18 March 2019, Askarov was transferred from temporary detention facility SIZO-1 in Bishkek to
Prison Colony No. 19, located about an hour outside Bishkek, in the Chuy region.
One of his lawyers, Mr. Valeryan Vakhitov, visited Askarov on 10 April, and noted that it appeared
that “Azimjon Askarov's health has significantly deteriorated. Askarov has lost weight, he is
coughing all the time. He has a dry cough, and at times, he is unable to catch his breath. Azimjon
complained that his legs are very cold, and nothing helps — not socks, shoes, or heating. He has
stopped drinking fluids to lessen the number of times he must use the toilet.” Vakhitov also relayed
that if Askarov is required to stand for long periods of time - such as during a cell check by prison
officials, which happens daily ~ Askarov feels light-headed and dizzy. Itis hard for him to breathe,
Vakhitov noted.
We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are highly concerned about the ongoing denial of
justice for our imprisoned colleague, the deterioration of his health, and about the quality of
medical care available to him in Prison Colony No. 19.Askarov has already served nine years in prison on a conviction handed down in a fundamentally
flawed and unfair trial. Justice has never been served in his case. His continued detention is a stain
on Kyrgyzstan’s human rights record that should be addressed before the EU deepens its
cooperation with the country’s authorities.
Ahead of Ms. Mogherini’s upcoming visit to Central Asia on the occasion of the EU-Central Asia
Ministerial meeting in july, we urge you to use the powers of your positions to help Azimjon Askarov
go free, immediately get the medical attention he so greatly needs, and be able to reui
family in a safe, third country.
fewith his
We thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
‘Amnesty International
Civil Rights Defenders
Committee to Protect Journalists
Frontline Defenders
Human Rights Watch
International Federation for Human Rights
International Partnership for Human Rights
Norwegian Helsinki Committee